Free agency has been a frenzy, and once-deep positions are quickly drying up. The Steelers have already made quite the splash this offseason, but they shouldn’t be done making moves. In particular, adding a viable strong safety would be the next logical move, as the free agency market is still deep at the position.
While some of the top names have already signed, there is still an immense amount of talent available. Pittsburgh has Minkah Fitzpatrick around and has retained Damontae Kazee, for now, as a versatile reserve, but a traditional strong safety that can play in the box is needed as well. Here are three remaining free agents that make sense, and two that don’t.
Makes sense for Steelers: Jamal Adams
Of the five names on this list, Jamal Adams presents the most risk as a player. He looked like the next elite safety with the Jets, becoming a physical force for their defense before getting traded to the Seahawks. The results there weren’t as good, as he was often injured and struggled in coverage.
Why he makes sense is pretty simple, after only playing in ten games over the past two seasons, I can’t forsee him commanding a huge contract. When healthy he is still a great box safety, and I think he can fill that void well still.
The Steelers could sign him on the cheap essentially as an upgrade from Keanu Neal. A deal also allows for the potential of Adams to recapture his former elite form. That would be unlikely, but at the bare minimum, you can use the two safety scheme you had devised last year with a small upgrade in Adams on the cheap. If you miss out on the other top names, he makes a lot of sense.